New To Chameleons - Adopting a Previously Sunburnt Male Veiled.

[Libri]

Your Chameleon - The species:  veiled, sex:  male and age of your chameleon: about 1 year. How long has it been in your care? will be picking up in July
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? I believe he's being handled at least monthly, if not more.
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? will eat hornworms, crickets, superworms.
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? unknown what brand he is on, but his food is dusted with calcium (no d) every day and "multi vitamins" once a week.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I know he has a fogger at night and is misted twice a day.
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. uknown Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?  unknown
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
he was incorrectly set up at a pet store and his back got severely sunburnt. He's healed now, but he isn't in the best set-up still.

Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? currently in a glass 18 by 18 by 24 inches (i think, I only have a picture) (I'd like to get him into a hybrid 2x2x4foot enclosure [affordability] asap)
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? currently he's under a red basking bulb and a singular uvb bulb (I know it's bad, I plan on getting him under a white basking bulb with strip uvb and led lighting for the plants for when he comes home)
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? unknown
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? He's fogged at night and misted by hand thoughout the day, there might also be a dripper, hard to tell. (I'd like to keep a fogger for nighttime, use a hand mister as often as needed (2-4 times a day) until I can afford a mistking, and get a dripper.)
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? he's currently in with plastic plants (I plan on putting him in with neon, marble queen, jade, and/or golden pothos, umbrella tree, hoya, and possibly a transcendia[opinions?]) I'd also like to set him up with multiple thin, natural branches, as he currently does not have those.
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? I'd like to set him on a 4 foot high dresser so he's near the top of the room (we're quite tall)
Location - Where are you geographically located? Saskatchewan, Canada

Questions:
I will be adopting this guy from a family member in July, he was gotten from a petstore as a rescue, and they're fostering him until I can get to them. He was pretty badly sunburnt but is apparently healed up now.
Every last piece of info that I have about him so far is in this post. I didn't get much from my family member.
I'd like to know what Canadian-available things you'd recommend for him in an affordable price range (all my extra money is going towards him).
Would you recommend a lower than normal basking branch due to his burns?
Can I put a grape Ivy in with him?
what gutloading foods would you recommend as well as supplements? My city only has a petsmart, but I'm not opposed to ordering off a website if they ship to Canada.
Is it dangerous to have him be near my cockatiel? I don't plan on ever having them out together, but would the bird stress him out on a roadtrip (6 hours) if he's covered?

I've been watching The Chameleon Academy and Neptune the Chameleon videos as well as reading as much as I can, but I'm concerned that because of his burn and where we are that he might need something different.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Beman]

Hey there welcome to the forum. So I would love to see some more pics of him. Just want to make sure your not going to end up dealing with MBD as well being as how he is under a compact uvb bulb. Per the thermal burn. That is an extremely bad one. While it looks like the outside skin has healed my concern would be how was it treated after the burn? Because with thermal burns they can end up with infections under the skin. Looks like they got his entire spine and top of casque.

Have your family member replace that red bulb for a white low wattage regular incandescent. With him being in such a small cage I would try a 40watt. The red can actually damage his eyes.


When you get everything together for what you want to buy then let us do a husbandry review with you. RIght now most of the info is incomplete since he is with your family member. And honestly us giving you feedback on this is not going to be helpful as you are already seeing all the areas of current husbandry that need to be corrected. You have found correct resources and you are more then welcome to ask us any questions you have.

 

[Libri]

Hey there welcome to the forum. So I would love to see some more pics of him. Just want to make sure your not going to end up dealing with MBD as well being as how he is under a compact uvb bulb. Per the thermal burn. That is an extremely bad one. While it looks like the outside skin has healed my concern would be how was it treated after the burn? Because with thermal burns they can end up with infections under the skin. Looks like they got his entire spine and top of casque.

Have your family member replace that red bulb for a white low wattage regular incandescent. With him being in such a small cage I would try a 40watt. The red can actually damage his eyes.


When you get everything together for what you want to buy then let us do a husbandry review with you. RIght now most of the info is incomplete since he is with your family member. And honestly us giving you feedback on this is not going to be helpful as you are already seeing all the areas of current husbandry that need to be corrected. You have found correct resources and you are more then welcome to ask us any questions you have.

It's good to know I've found good resources! As soon as I have more information on him, I will post again. As well as my set-up once it is "complete"
I will get them to replace that bulb asap
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!

 

[Beman]

Now for your questions...

Questions:

Would you recommend a lower than normal basking branch due to his burns? Basking branch should be 9 inches down. But you want a low wattage bulb that is a regular incandescent white bulb. I would start with 40-60watt. Test temps... basking at branch should be 80-82 F. No focused heat bulbs.
Can I put a grape Ivy in with him? Nope... See Veiled tested plants on the image below.
what gutloading foods would you recommend as well as supplements? My city only has a petsmart, but I'm not opposed to ordering off a website if they ship to Canada. I am not familiar with canadian options. I would just google and see what you find for insect vendors that ship. See image for insects. See image for gutloading. Supplements I prefer are repashy NoD for your regular calcium without D3 and Repashy calcium plus LoD version for your multivitamin to use two times a month.
Is it dangerous to have him be near my cockatiel? I don't plan on ever having them out together, but would the bird stress him out on a roadtrip (6 hours) if he's covered? I would not have them near each other. Birds are natural predators and it will stress him out a lot. If you are doing a roadtrip you need to look at how to transport a cham which generally is going to mean a dark box with airholes and a stick attached low so he can just fall asleep on the trip.

I've been watching The Chameleon Academy and Neptune the Chameleon videos as well as reading as much as I can, but I'm concerned that because of his burn and where we are that he might need something different. Both great resources. The burn is its own issue. I really need to know if it was medically treated with a topical like silversulfadiazine cream or oral antibiotic. He will always have a lot of issues shedding properly in those burnt areas.

 

[Beman]

 

[kinyonga]

I can’t tell you how good (or bad) they are for shipping since I only used Port Credit Pet Centre and picked them up….but…I can tell you that I was always satisfied with the insects I got from PCPC.

So…you can try…
Port Credit Pet Centre…
https://portcreditpets.com/
Or…
The Worm Lady…
https://www.thewormlady.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Worm-Lady-100063532541876/
Or…
Super Cricket Farms…
https://supercricket.ca/ordering-shipping/

You might also want to think about breeding some of the insects yourself.

Good luck with the insects!
This a a very good place for information!
Welcome!

 

[Libri]

I can’t tell you how good (or bad) they are for shipping since I only used Port Credit Pet Centre and picked them up….but…I can tell you that I was always satisfied with the insects I got from PCPC.

So…you can try…
Port Credit Pet Centre…
https://portcreditpets.com/
Or…
The Worm Lady…
https://www.thewormlady.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Worm-Lady-100063532541876/
Or…
Super Cricket Farms…
https://supercricket.ca/ordering-shipping/

You might also want to think about breeding some of the insects yourself.

Good luck with the insects!
This a a very good place for information!
Welcome!

Thank you so much!!

 

[kinyonga]

Hope they turn out to be good ones for you!

 

[Ghostbirb]

Welcome to the forum and I wish you good luck with your guy when the time comes. Poor baby, that burn looks like it would have hurt a lot! You are amazing for taking him in and doing the research that's needed. I look forward to seeing more about him when he arrives!

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! I’m so glad that you’ve not only found the very best resources for current and correct husbandry but have also found your way here. You’ve already gotten some great info. I just want to offer a bit of unsolicited advice and ideas.
If you are needing to basically buy everything, the most economical way is to get Neptune’s kit here https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/reptile-kits There are two versions available and not only is the the best price for all of the stuff, but it’s almost one click shopping for everything. They do ship to Canada. https://www.pangeareptile.com/policies/shipping-policy All you’d really need to get is some branches and live plants.
You’ll be needing a way to hang branches, vines and plants and there are a few different ways. There are Dragon Ledges https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/ but I don’t know if he can ship to Canada. If not, garden trellis is a nice option and pretty easy. I think I started mine about 10-12” down and kept each panel to about 20-24” long. You’ll want to measure and cut so that each panel will fit each side and back and take into account meeting at the corners. I also sand smooth the sharp edges to avoid injuries. I drill some tiny holes in the ends of the trellis where needed and secure to the frame with thin wire. To prevent the panels from sliding down, I add a couple of small screws to each frame support to attach some of the wires to. All of this is best done before putting your enclosure together. This has proven sturdy enough for a good number of branches and a good amount of plants. The trellis can be found in any store like Home Depot and some places it comes in different colors. All I had here was white. Pics below. Another way is to make a scaffold type structure with strong and somewhat straight branches which are secured to the frame. Start with an ‘H’ shape and add from there. I would be reluctant to hang plants from this style.
Another thing which you will be needing to think about is how to manage excess water drainage. It’s best to keep the enclosure floor bare (unless bioactive). There’s all different methods for this and the limit is your imagination and resources/resourcefulness.
Do ask whatever questions you may have and please share your progress and everything…especially when your guy arrives.

 

[Libri]

Now for your questions...

Questions:

Would you recommend a lower than normal basking branch due to his burns? Basking branch should be 9 inches down. But you want a low wattage bulb that is a regular incandescent white bulb. I would start with 40-60watt. Test temps... basking at branch should be 80-82 F. No focused heat bulbs.
Can I put a grape Ivy in with him? Nope... See Veiled tested plants on the image below.
what gutloading foods would you recommend as well as supplements? My city only has a petsmart, but I'm not opposed to ordering off a website if they ship to Canada. I am not familiar with canadian options. I would just google and see what you find for insect vendors that ship. See image for insects. See image for gutloading. Supplements I prefer are repashy NoD for your regular calcium without D3 and Repashy calcium plus LoD version for your multivitamin to use two times a month.
Is it dangerous to have him be near my cockatiel? I don't plan on ever having them out together, but would the bird stress him out on a roadtrip (6 hours) if he's covered? I would not have them near each other. Birds are natural predators and it will stress him out a lot. If you are doing a roadtrip you need to look at how to transport a cham which generally is going to mean a dark box with airholes and a stick attached low so he can just fall asleep on the trip.

I've been watching The Chameleon Academy and Neptune the Chameleon videos as well as reading as much as I can, but I'm concerned that because of his burn and where we are that he might need something different. Both great resources. The burn is its own issue. I really need to know if it was medically treated with a topical like silversulfadiazine cream or oral antibiotic. He will always have a lot of issues shedding properly in those burnt areas.

I was able to get a bit more information out of my family member! Not only is he no longer under a red light, I found out what he was treated with for the burn (months ago): they "fogged him with F10 and treated with colloidal silver."

 

[Beman]

I was able to get a bit more information out of my family member! Not only is he no longer under a red light, I found out what he was treated with for the burn (months ago): they "fogged him with F10 and treated with colloidal silver."

hmmm I dunno I have never heard of those being a treatment for thermal burns. The colloidal silver is different from the silver sulfadiazine cream though.

 

[Libri]

hmmm I dunno I have never heard of those being a treatment for thermal burns. The colloidal silver is different from the silver sulfadiazine cream though.

The person who is currently caring for him is a retired vet tech, and when he came in, I believe that's what they did, and they said he seems to be healed. The initial injury was months ago. I plan on taking him to a vet to get it checked out as soon as I get him, I've found a reptile vet in my closest city.

 

[Beman]

The person who is currently caring for him is a retired vet tech, and when he came in, I believe that's what they did, and they said he seems to be healed. The initial injury was months ago. I plan on taking him to a vet to get it checked out as soon as I get him, I've found a reptile vet in my closest city.

It may very well be fully healed. These kinds of thermal burns are tricky... most vets will treat with antibiotics as well. This is due to the fact that the infection can develop under the burn. Especially when it is severe. So just treating the outside will heal that portion of thermal burn but does not treat below it. We have seen where people will think they are fine and then all the sudden the infection basically pushes out. Casque is where I would be very concerned about this potential and have seen it happen quite a few times in the forum. Just something to be aware of and watch for signs that there is an underlying infection.

 

[Libri]

It may very well be fully healed. These kinds of thermal burns are tricky... most vets will treat with antibiotics as well. This is due to the fact that the infection can develop under the burn. Especially when it is severe. So just treating the outside will heal that portion of thermal burn but does not treat below it. We have seen where people will think they are fine and then all the sudden the infection basically pushes out. Casque is where I would be very concerned about this potential and have seen it happen quite a few times in the forum. Just something to be aware of and watch for signs that there is an underlying infection.

Oh, I didn't know that. Thank you so much for the information! The community has been so kind and welcoming so far!

 

[Beman]

Oh, I didn't know that. Thank you so much for the information! The community has been so kind and welcoming so far!

My pleasure, happy to help.

 

[MissSkittles]

I was able to get a bit more information out of my family member! Not only is he no longer under a red light, I found out what he was treated with for the burn (months ago): they "fogged him with F10 and treated with colloidal silver."

I understand the silver as it has antimicrobial properties and is often used in wound care. I don’t understand the fogging with F10. Wouldn’t that have gotten into his lungs? How could that be very safe? I’m under the impression that it’s safe for contact with animals and us only once it’s dried.

 

[MzLaurie]

Hi there, quite an undertaking you are taking on. I have experience with burns and the one thing I can tell you is chameleons take a long time to heal. Because they molt, the surface heals fast, but below, as Beman said, does not. Just show the original.pics to the vet so he is aware of how bad it was. First off, the housing fir your badking bulb shoukd have abdimmer switch on it. That will resolve all of the problems of it being too hot for a burnt baby till you know what and when full heat is best. I like splashproof bulbs, 75 watt, as thet last a long time and wont break if hit with water. The dimmer switch wull let you keep it low if its too steong at first. If not, start with a 50 watt and keeo the basking branches spot about 8 inches from the screen. A good vine to get is bend a branch from flukers farms which you can get on amazon for real cheap. I would get large and medium sizes. They are perfect for his feet to wrap around to climb. Get yourself an assortment of 500 to 1000 zip ties of all sizes. You will need them. also cut the excess of and melt it with a lighter so there are no sharp edges. I put 1/2 inch strips of wooden molding and screwed them to the inside of the frame after it was assembled so i could build a jungle gym for my boy. latice works but feeders tend to hide behind them. Do dont go all the way to the top if you use that. Crickets go for the lifht and heat. It worked but i always wished i had gone with the dragon ledges even though they are expensive. whatever you do, dont buy a kit unless its through here. Most of the stuff is not cham friendly. Also look on here or the internet for a list of chameleon safe plants. There are many plants that are poisoness to them. Get calcuim without D3 and a mutivitamin, reptivite, with D3. Your feeders get dusted daily with calcuim and twice a month vitamins, 1st and 15th. This is a tried schedule so dont listen to other instructions as they are outdated. remember, having a pet that eats live food means you have to take care of the live food too. This can get expensive Unless you learn how to grow your own. Another challenge. they are amazing creatures and you can just fall in love quivkly

 

[MzLaurie]

BTW, I rescued a female panther that was left in the sun to die. Her eye tops were sun burnt. Check his to make sure there is no discoloration. Actually, have the vet check it out. My girls eye lid tops were black. It took almost a year for them to heal but the scar tissue buildup left behind caused major issues.

 

[nightanole]

As the owner of an ever living cockatiel (its 22 years old), i can say chameleons and small lizards(beardies) HATE IT. You get instant poofs from across the room even if the bird is minding its own business.